Read a report from our friends at Manitoba-net.com and noticed the provincial unemployment rate went up. It now stands at a whopping 5.2 percent.

That is not good news for many throughout Westman and surrounding area. Businesses need employees and employees need businesses.  It’s common knowledge and it’s just how society works.

Unfortunately society has a funny way of looking at things sometimes because instead of businesses ‘flourishing’, many are having a difficult time.

One such business in town is Arby’s, the fast food chain restaurant. I happened to notice a large ‘for sale’ sign at the front of the establishment this past weekend. I’ve been to Arby’s a few times since living in the Wheat City and I’ll go on record as saying their curly fries are to die for.

So now the question is ‘If Arby’s is officially no longer, what can Brandon residents expect to see next?’

If you happen to check out ebrandon.ca, a discussion is currently ongoing on the downfall of the restaurant and what the building could be used for.

It’ll be interesting to see what transpires over the next few months. Personally, I feel another restaurant isn’t out of the question.

I do not expect the building to stay vacant for any lengthy period of time. The location is right smack dab in the middle of the busiest street in Brandon.

…

Did anyone happen to catch the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby Monday night? Is it just me or is the ‘derby’ becoming a bit too long.

Don’t get me wrong, watching paid professionals smack ‘dingers’ for a considerable amount of time is amusing for even the most casual fan, but for approximately three and a half hours? No thanks.

In saying this, I’ve always tuned in to watch the infamous ‘derby’ and see who is the next home run king. But someone has to step in and figure out a way to shorten the event. I mean, it’s not an actual nine inning affair between two teams. It’s a contest where rules can be manipulated so to speak.

Cue Bud Selig, the league’s commissioner. This is a guy who stopped the 2002 all-star game after two extra innings due to both teams running out of pitchers. I remember watching that game on television, startled by the decision just like everyone in attendance.

Maybe Selig will step in and make a decision and shorten the derby. Or maybe he’ll just stop the event all-together mid way through the final round next year. Instead of one 2010 home run champ, we’ll have two.

Yeah, I’m sure that will go over well.